'Keepers of the Future': five Pisa-area gems open for the 16th National

National Historic Houses Day: Sunday 24 May 2026

Sunday 24 May 2026 marks the 16th National Historic Houses Day, when private historic residences, gardens and castles across Italy open their doors. In the province of Pisa five sites will be accessible to visitors, offering a direct encounter with local history and landscape.

Open sites in the province of Pisa

• Torre dei Pannocchieschi – Montecastelli Pisano (Castelnuovo di Val di Cecina)

  This medieval tower, adjacent to the church of Santi Filippo e Jacopo, bears witness to territorial conflicts of the late Middle Ages. It dominates the village and valley and is suited to visitors interested in military architecture and rural panoramas.

• Giardino Garzella – Via Sant'Antonio 106, Pisa

  Rebuilt after wartime damage, the house and its elevated rear garden display 20th-century transformations of an urban historic site. The green space provides a tranquil stop for those exploring the city's heritage.

• Badia di Morrona – Terricciola

  An abbey with early medieval origins, later a bishop's summer residence and then private property. Visits trace its changing roles and relationship with the surrounding countryside.

• Giardino Venerosi Pesciolini (Giardino Sonoro di Ghizzano) – Ghizzano di Peccioli

  Designed in 1932 on Renaissance garden principles, notable for topiary, axial views and a central avenue of cypress arches leading to a historic terracotta sculpture. The walk among holm oaks is especially evocative.

• Hanging Garden of the Ussero at Palazzo Rosso (Lungarno Pacinotti, Pisa)

  Documented since the late 15th century, this restored hanging garden is part of the city’s historic green network and offers an intimate urban historic landscape.

Practical visitor information

• Date: Sunday 24 May 2026 (visits usually free).
• Opening times: vary by site; check for time slots or mandatory bookings where required.
• Accessibility: historic sites may include steps and uneven terrain; contact site managers in advance if you require accessibility accommodations.
• How to get there: sites are reachable by car or local transport; plan routes considering distances between rural locations and limited parking.
• Visitor etiquette: respect gardens and interiors, do not pick plants, follow custodians' instructions and keep noise to a minimum to preserve the sites.

Why attend

Participating offers a direct experience of local heritage, raises awareness about conservation needs and supports the shared value these properties bring to communities. It’s a chance to discover hidden corners of Pisa’s cultural landscape.